GoFundMe for Julie Hunt’s family after husband Russ and daughter Jasmine diagnosed with cancer

An Aussie family is facing an unthinkable situation, just two years after losing one family member. Read their story.

Julie Hunt with her husband Russ Hunt and her daughter Jasmine Hunt in their hospital room at Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture Glenn Hampson

Julie Hunt says she wakes up every morning wondering when her nightmare is ever going to end.

Julie’s husband and eldest daughter have recently been diagnosed with leukaemia.

It comes only two years after Julie lost her 19-year-old daughter to a different type of cancer.

“I am heartbroken, overwhelmed and scared,” she said.

“I don’t know what life looks like for us anymore.

“People tell me what a strong woman I am, but I don’t feel strong.”

This is the heartbreaking story of the Hunt family.

In 2019, Julie was given shocking news that her husband Russ was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow.

After a year of extensive treatment Russ went into remission. However, almost four years later, just last month, he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“(In 2019) when Russ was diagnosed, my world came crashing down and I wondered how I was going to support three children on my own.”

Julie Hunt with her husband Russ Hunt and her daughter Jasmine Hunt in their hospital room at Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture Glenn Hampson

Russ was riding a dirt bike over a bump when his back compressed.

“He couldn’t walk to the point of needing a walking frame,” she said.

“After tests and scans, myeloma cells were detected and a number of vertebrae were crushed.”

Russ underwent nine months of chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant before he was in remission.

Julie said last month they received his quarterly blood test results and there were abnormalities.

“At first we thought that the myeloma had come back but couldn’t believe it when we were told he had leukaemia,” she said.

“Nothing makes sense anymore.”

In 2022, Julie and her husband had to say goodbye to their 19-year-old daughter Amber, after she lost her year-long battle with a rare and aggressive cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma.

“Amber was a caring, sensitive soul. She was my angel,” Julie said.

Amber had gone to the doctors thinking she had a sinus infection because one side of her nose was blocked.

“When it didn’t go away from antibiotics the next step was a scan,” Julie said.

“The results came back and there was a mass of some sort in her sinus.

“I was heartbroken. I was so scared for her but wanted to be the best mum and best support person I could possibly be.”

Julie said Amber “never complained once” during her treatment process.

“She was the bravest person I know.”

Julie Hunt with her husband Russ (back), Jasmine (third from the front), Amber (second from the front) and Ronan (front). Photo: GoFundMe

Amber sadly passed away on June 18, 2022 after a week in palliative care at Robina Hospital.

“The worst day of my life was the last day of Amber’s,” Julie said.

“Russ and I were both there with her and we had to watch her take her last breath which no parent should ever have to do.

“The grief I feel from losing Amber is so suffocating some days.”

Julie said her 24-year-old daughter Jasmine‘s greatest fear in life was getting cancer after seeing what her sister endured.

Shockingly, in May Jasmine was diagnosed with leukaemia after a nose bleed that “wouldn’t stop” and she is now facing two years of chemotherapy.

“Jasmine is a breath of fresh air. She is bubbly, caring and loving,” Julie said.

“I was so shocked when she was diagnosed.

“I thought ‘this can’t possibly be happening to another one of my children’.

“She was fit and healthy at the time and wasn’t feeling unwell.”

Jasmine faces a year of extensive chemotherapy and another year of maintenance chemotherapy with the possibility of a stem cell transplant.

“She just wants to be cured and to be able to move on with her life,” Julie said.

“Jasmine says Amber is her inspiration through all of this.”

In June, Robina Fernwood Fitness – where Julie works as a childminding assistant in the creche – started a GoFundMe for the Hunt family.

The GoFundMe had raised more than $40,000 by October 7.

“They have been so amazing and supportive,” Julie said.

She said both Jasmine and Russ would not be able to work for at least a year while they undergo treatment.

“These turn of events have placed a significant financial, emotional and mental strain on us and will continue to for the next 12 months. I will basically need to be their full-time carer.”

“My family is my world and that’s what keeps me going. These are the cards we have been dealt and we just need to soldier on.”

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Originally published as GoFundMe for Julie Hunt’s family after husband Russ and daughter Jasmine diagnosed with cancer